A cable or chain used to secure a mooring buoy or other floating structure.

Fibre optic cable

optical

A cable made of glass or plastic fibre designed to guide light along its length, fibre optic cables are widely used in fibre-optic communication, which permits transmission over longer distances and at higher data rates than other forms of communication.

Ferry cable

ferry

A cable where a cable ferry is connected to

CEMT Classes (catccl)

Classification of CEMT classes of vessels that may use a waterway.

Category

seamark:wtwaxs:categoryseamark:wtware:category

Definition

0: Small vessels and pleasure craft

small_vessels

Designated for small vessels and pleasure crafts only.

I: Peniche

peniche

Designated for barges of type "Peniche" (west of river Elbe) or of type "Gross Finow" (east of river Elbe).

II: Campine barge

campine_barge

Designated for barges of type "Kempenaar" (west of river Elbe) or of type "BM-500" (east of river Elbe).

III: Dortmund-Ems barge

dortmund-ems_barge

Designated for barges of type "Gustav Koenigs" (west of river Elbe) or of a similar type concerning the dimensions (east of river Elbe).

IV: Rhine-Herne barge

rhine-herne_barge

Designated for barges of type "Johann Welker".

Va: Large Rhine barge; 1-barge push-tow unit

1-barge_push-tow

Designated for barges of type "Large Rhine barge" or pushed convoys with one barge.

Vb: 2-barge push-tow unit; long formation

2-barge_push-tow_long

Designated for pushed convoys with two barges, long formation.

VIa: 2-barge push-tow unit; wide formation

2-barge_push-tow_wide

Designated for pushed convoys with two barges, wide formation.

VIb: 4-barge push-tow unit

4-barge_push-tow

Designated for pushed convoys with four barges.

VIc: 6-barge push-tow unit

6-barge_push-tow

Designated for pushed convoys with six barges.

No CEMT class

no_cemt_class

Unclassified vessels.

Checkpoints (CATCHP)

Classification of a place where vehicles or travellers are stopped for identification or inspection.

Category

seamark:checkpoint:category

Definition

Customs

customs

An office, especially in ports, at which customs dues are collected or administrated.

Border

border

An office, at which immigration control takes place.

Communications (catcom)

Classification of radio communications.

Category

seamark:calling-in_point:categoryseamark:communication_area:category

Definition

VTS centre

vts_centre

The centre from which Vessel Traffic Services are operated.

VTS sector

vts_sector

The service area of a VTS centre.

IVS point

ivs_point

A reporting point of the "Informatie en Volgsysteem voor de Scheepvaart" in the Netherlands.

MIB

mib

A reporting point of the "Melde- und Informationssystem Binnenschifffahrt" in Germany.

Lock

lock

A reporting point for vessels at a lock.

Bridge

bridge

A reporting point for vessels at a movable bridge.

Customs

customs

A reporting point of the customs services for vessels.

Harbour

harbour

A reporting point of a harbour.

Cranes (CATCRN)

Classification of machines used for hoisting and moving heavy objects.

Category

seamark:crane:category

Definition

Container crane/gantry

container

A high speed, shore-based crane used in the lift-on/lift-off operation of specially constructed containers.

Sheerlegs

sheerlegs

A tripodal structure used in dockyards and harbours for stepping masts or lifting loads in to and out of vessels.

Travelling crane

travelling

A crane mounted on rails (track) that can move (usually parallel to the wharf face) in order to load and unload cargo vessels.

A-frame

a-frame

They are often positioned on river banks or the coastline and are used for lifting logs from logging trucks and depositing them in the water.

Control Points (CATCTR)

Classification of control points.

Category

seamark:control_point:category

Definition

Triangulation point

triangulation

A recoverable point on the earth, whose geographic coordinates have been determined by angular methods with geodetic instruments. A triangulation point is a selected point, which has been marked with a station mark, or it is a conspicuous natural or artificial object.

Observation spot

observation

A point used by surveyors for determining precise position by astronomical means.

Fixed point

fixed

A point whose position has been accurately determined and plotted.

Bench-mark

benchmark

A permanent, stable object containing a marked point of known elevation with respect to a datum used as a reference level for tidal observations or as a control point for levelling.

Boundary mark

boundary

A marker identifying the location of a surveyed boundary line.

Horizontal control, main station

horizontal_main

A station in a network of permanently marked control points having their geographic positions established to form third order accuracy or better.

Horizontal control, secondary station

horizontal_secondary

A station in a network of control points of a localized nature utilized for shoreline plots, sounding marks, stadia work, etc., whose geographic position may be established to a slightly lower order than main control points.

Dumping Grounds (CATDPG)

Classification of an area based on the type of waste being disposed of.

Category

seamark:dumping_ground:category

Definition

Chemical waste dumping ground

chemical

An area at sea where chemical waste is dumped.

Nuclear waste dumping ground

nuclear

An area at sea where nuclear waste is dumped.

Explosives dumping ground

explosives

An area at sea where explosives are dumped.

Spoil ground

spoil

An area at sea where dredged material is deposited.

Vessel dumping ground

vessel

An area at sea where disused vessels are scuttled.

Exceptional Structures (catexs)

Classification of exceptional navigational structures.

Category

seamark:exceptional_structure:category

Definition

Lift-Lock

lift-lock

A lock of which the lock chamber itself is lifted vertically to level with the next waterway section.

Aqueduct

aqueduct

A structure (similar to the ancient aqueducts), for conveying a canal over a river or hollow.

Sloping plane lock

sloping_plane_lock

A lock of which the lock chamber itself travels over a sloping plane to level with the next waterway section.

Water slope lock (Pente d'Eau)

water_slope_lock

A lock of which the lock chamber is formed by a sloping plane and moving gate, which is pushing a triangular section of water up along the slope to level with the next waterway section.

Other

other

Other categories of an exceptional structure.

Fishing Facilities (CATFIF)

Classification of fishing facility provided based on different fishing methods.

Category

seamark:fishing_facility:category

Definition

Fishing stake

stake

A pole or stake placed in shallow water to outline a fishing ground or to catch fish.

Fish trap

trap

A structure (usually portable) for catching fish.

Fish weir

weir

A fence of stakes or stones set in a river or along the shore to trap fish

Tunny net

tunny

A net built at sea for catching tunny

Forts (CATFOR)

Classification of the different types of fortified structure.

Category

seamark:fortified_structure:category

Definition

Castle

castle

A large fortified building or structure.

Fort

fort

A fortified enclosure, building, or position able to be defended against an enemy.

Battery

battery

A fortified structure on which artillery is mounted.

Blockhouse

blockhouse

A concrete structure strengthened to give protection against enemy fire, with apertures to allow defensive gunfire.

Martello tower

martello_tower

A round fort for coastal defence.

Redoubt

redoubt

An outwork or fieldwork usually square or polygonal and without flanking defences.

Ferries (CATFRY)

Classification of the manoeuvrability of the ferry vessel, not the various types of ferry vessel.

Category

seamark:ferry_route:category

Definition

Free-moving ferry

free

A ferry which may have routes that vary with weather, tide and traffic.

Cable ferry

cable

A ferry that follows a fixed route guided by a cable.

Ice ferry

ice

A winter-time ferry which crosses a lead.

Swinging wire ferry

swinging

Ferry connected to a fixed point (e.g., an anchor in the middle of the waterway) and swings around this point from shore to shore via a cable to an anchor. The cable runs more or less parallel to the current.

Gates (CATGAT)

Classification of a structure that can be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or a passageway.

Category

seamark:gate:category

Definition

Gate in general

general

Non-specific gate

Flood barrage gate

flood_barrage

An opening gate used to control flood water.

Caisson

caisson

A steel structure used for closing the entrance of locks, wet and dry docks.

Lock gate

lock

Lock gates are the massive hinged doors at each end of a lock.

Dyke gate

dyke

An opening gate in a dyke.

Sluice

sluice

A sliding gate or other contrivance for changing the level of a body of water by controlling the flow into or out of it.

Hulks (CATHLK)

Classification of an old or unseaworthy ship used for a new function.

Category

seamark:hulk:category

Definition

Floating restaurant

floating_restaurant

A permanently moored floating structure, such as an old ship, used as a restaurant.

Historic ship

historic

A ship of historical interest permanently moored as a tourist attraction.

Museum

museum

A permanently moored floating structure, such as an old ship, used as a museum.

Accommodation

accommodation

A permanently moored floating structure, such as an old ship, used for accommodation.

Floating breakwater

floating_breakwater

A permanently moored floating structure, often constructed from old ships, used as a breakwater.

Casino boat

casino_boat

A permanently moored floating structure, such as an old ship, used as a casino boat

Lateral Marks (CATLAM)

Classification of lateral buoys and beacons

Category

seamark:buoy_lateral:categoryseamark:beacon_lateral:category

Definition

Port-hand lateral mark

port

Marks the port side limit of the fairway when heading inland. This will be towards the right bank.

Starboard-hand lateral mark

starboard

Marks the starboard side limit of the fairway when heading inland. This will be towards the left bank.

Preferred channel to starboard lateral mark

preferred_channel_starboard

Where the fairway divides either way around an obstacle, the primary channel is to the starboard side of this mark.

Preferred channel to port lateral mark

preferred_channel_port

Where the fairway divides either way around an obstacle, the primary channel is to the port side of this mark.

Right-hand side of the waterway

waterway_right

Marks the limit of the waterway closest to the right bank.

Left-hand side of the waterway

waterway_left

Marks the limit of the waterway closest to the left bank.

Right-hand side of the channel

channel_right

Marks the limit of a channel closest to the right bank.

Left-hand side of the channel

channel_left

Marks the limit of a channel closest to the left bank.

Bifurcation of the waterway

waterway_separation

Marks the conjunction of two waterways.

Bifurcation of the fairway

channel_separation

Marks the conjunction of two channels within a waterway.

Channel near the right bank

channel_right_bank

The navigable channel lays closest to the right bank.

Channel near the left bank

channel_left_bank

The navigable channel lays closest to the left bank.

Channel cross-over to the right bank

crossover_right

The navigable channel crosses over to the right bank.

Channel cross-over to the left bank

crossover_left

The navigable channel crosses over to the left bank.

Danger point or obstacles at the right-hand side

danger_right

Marks obstacles close to the right bank.

Danger point or obstacles at the left-hand side

danger_left

Marks obstacles close to the left bank.

Turn off at the right-hand side

turnoff_right

Indicates a turn off at the right-hand side

Turn off at the left-hand side

turnoff_left

Indicates a turn off at the left-hand side

Junction at the right-hand side

junction_right

Indicates a junction at the right-hand side

Junction at the left-hand side

junction_left

Indicates a junction at the left-hand side

Harbour entry at the right-hand side

harbour_right

Indicates a harbour entry at the right-hand side

Harbour entry at the left-hand side

harbour_left

Indicates a harbour entry at the left-hand side

Bridge pier mark

bridge_pier

Marks the presence of bridge piers.

Marine Farms (CATMFA)

Classification of an area of water devoted to the raising, breeding, or production of a specific aquatic animal.

Category

seamark:marine_farm:category

Definition

Crustaceans

crustaceans

Hard shelled animals, for example crabs or lobsters.

Oysters/mussels

oysters_mussels

Edible bivalve molluscs.

Fish

fish

Vertebrate cold blooded animal with gills, living in water.

Seaweed

seaweed

The general name for marine plants of the Algae class which grow in long narrow ribbons.

Pearl culture farm

pearl_culture

An area where pearls are artificially cultivated.

Military Practice Areas (CATMPA)

Classification of area by military use.

Category

seamark:military_area:category

Definition

Torpedo exercise area

torpedo

An area within which exercises are carried out with torpedoes.

Submarine exercise area

submarine

An area within which submarine exercises are carried out.

Firing danger area

firing

Areas for bombing and missile exercises.

Mine laying practice area

mine-laying

An area within which mine laying exercises are carried out.

Small arms firing range

small_arms

An area for shooting pistols, rifles and machine guns, etc. at a target.

Obstructions (CATOBS)

Classification of objects that impede movement.

Category

seamark:obstruction:category

Definition

Snag/stump

stump

A tree, branch or broken pile embedded in the ocean floor, river or lake bottom and not visible on the surface, forming thereby a hazard to vessels.

Wellhead

wellhead

A submarine structure projecting some distance above the seabed and capping a temporarily abandoned or suspended oil or gas well.

Diffuser

diffuser

A structure on an outfall through which liquids are discharged. The structure will usually project above the level of the outfall and can be an obstruction to navigation.

Crib

crib

A permanent structure set in the water, framed with wooden beams and filled with rocks or boulders. They are used to anchor log booms or support other constructions, e.g. submerged outfalls, diffusers etc. They may always be dry, submerged or cover and uncover.

Fish haven

fish_haven

Areas established by private interests, usually sport fishermen, to simulate natural reefs and wrecks that attract fish. The reefs are constructed by dumping assorted junk in areas which may be of very small extent or may stretch a considerable distance along a depth contour.

Foul area

foul_area

An area of numerous unidentified dangers to navigation. The area serves as a warning to the mariner that all dangers are not identified individually and that navigation through the area may be hazardous. Commonly used to encode areas behind danger lines on navigation charts.

Foul ground

foul_ground

Areas over which it is safe to navigate but which should be avoided for anchoring, taking the ground or ground fishing.

Ice boom

ice_boom

Floating barriers, anchored to the bottom, used to deflect the path of floating ice in order to prevent the obstruction of locks, intakes, etc., and to prevent damage to bridge piers and other structures.

Ground tackle

ground_tackle

Equipment such as anchors, concrete blocks, chains and cables, etc., used to position floating structures such as trot and mooring buoys etc.

Boom

boom

A floating barrier used to protect a river or harbour mouth or to create a sheltered area for storage purposes.

Offshore platforms (CATOFP)

Classification of an offshore raised structure.

Category

seamark:platform:category

Definition

Oil derrick/rig

oil

A temporary mobile structure, either fixed or floating, used in the exploration stages of oil and gas fields.

Production platform

production

A term used to indicate a permanent offshore structure equipped to control the flow of oil or gas. It does not include entirely submarine structures.

Observation/research platform

observation

A platform from which one's surroundings or events can be observed, noted or recorded such as for scientific study.

Articulated loading platform (ALP)

alp

A metal lattice tower, buoyant at one end and attached at the other by a universal joint to a concrete filled base on the sea bed. The platform may be fitted with a helicopter platform, emergency accommodation and hawser/hose retrieval.

Single anchor leg mooring (SALM)

salm

A rigid frame or tube with a buoyancy device at its upper end , secured at its lower end to a universal joint on a large steel or concrete base resting on the sea bed, and at its upper end to a mooring buoy by a chain or wire.

Mooring tower

mooring

A platform secured to the sea bed and surmounted by a turntable to which ships moor.

Artificial island

artificial_island

A man-made structure usually built for the exploration or exploitation of marine resources, marine scientific research, tidal observations, etc.

Floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO)

fpso

An offshore oil/gas facility consisting of a moored tanker/barge by which the product is extracted, stored and exported.

Accommodation platform

accommodation

A platform used primarily for eating, sleeping and recreation purposes.

Navigation, communication and control buoy (NCCB)

nccb

A floating structure with control room, power and storage facilities, attached to the sea bed by a flexible pipeline and cables.

Oil barriers (CATOLB)

Classification of barriers used to prevent the unwanted spread of oil across the sea surface.

Category

seamark:oil_barrier:category

Definition

Oil retention (high pressure pipe)

retention

A pipe with holes from which air blows. When the air bubbles reach the surface they form a barrier which prevents the spread of oil.

Floating oil barrier

floating

A floating tube shaped structure, with a curtain (2 metre) hanging under it, below the surface, which prevents the spread of oil.

Pilot boarding places (CATPIL)

Classification of pilot boarding place.

Category

seamark:pilot_boarding:category

Definition

Boarding by pilot-cruising vessel

cruising_vessel

Pilot boards from a cruising vessel.

Boarding by helicopter

helicopter

Pilot boards by helicopter which comes out from the shore.

Pilot comes out from shore

from_shore

Pilot boards from a vessel which comes out from the shore on request.

Pipelines (CATPIP)

Classification of pipeline constructions.

Category

seamark:pipeline_overhead:categoryseamark:pipeline_submarine:category

Definition

Outfall pipe

outfall

A pipe (generally a sewer or drainage pipe) discharging in to the sea or a river.

Intake pipe

intake

A pipe taking water from a river or other body of water, to drive a mill or supply a canal, waterworks, etc.

Sewer

sewer

A pipe in a sewage system for carrying water or sewage to a disposal area.

Bubbler system

bubbler

A submerged pipe from which warm water bubbles, preventing the surrounding water from freezing.

Supply pipe

supply

A pipe used for supplying of gas or liquid product.

Piles (CATPLE)

Classification of piles driven into the earth as a foundation or support for a structure.

Category

seamark:pile:category

Definition

Stake

stake

An elongated wood or metal pole embedded in the bottom to serve as a marker or support.

Post

post

A vertical piece of timber, metal or concrete forced into the earth or sea bed.

Tripodal

tripodal

A single structure comprising 3 or more piles held together (sections of heavy timber, steel or concrete), and forced into the earth or sea bed.

Production areas (CATPRA)

Classification of production areas based on product.

Category

seamark:production_area:category

Definition

Quarry

quarry

An excavation in solid rock from which building stone, limestone, etc. is removed.

Mine

mine

An excavation in the earth for the purpose of extracting earth materials.

Stockpile

stockpile

A reserve stock of material, equipment or other supplies.

Power station

power_station

A stationary plant containing apparatus for large-scale conversion of some form of energy (hydraulic, steam, chemical, nuclear, etc.) into electrical energy.

Refinery

refinery

A system of process units used to convert crude petroleum into fuels, lubricants and other petroleum-derived products.

Timber yard

timber_yard

A storage area for wood used for building, carpentry or joinery.

Factory

factory

A group of buildings where goods are manufactured.

Tank farm

tank_farm

An area in which a number of large-capacity storage tanks are located, generally used for crude oil or petroleum products.

Wind farm

wind_farm

An area in which numerous wind motors are located.

Slag heap/spoil heap

slag_heap

Hill of refuse from a mine, industrial plant etc. on land

Current farm

current_farm

An area where electrical power is produced from the lateral movement of water.

Oil field

oil

An area where oil and natural gas (normally as a by-product) are produced.

Natural gas field

gas

An area where natural gas is produced.

Wave energy field

wave_energy

An area where electrical power is produced from wave energy devices.

Pylons (CATPYL)

Classification of the pylon based on the service its supporting.

Category

seamark:pylon:category

Definition

Power transmission pylon/pole

power

A vertical construction consisting, for example, of a steel framework or of pre-stressed concrete, to support a power transmission cable or line.

Telephone/telegraph pylon/pole

telecom

A pylon or pole used to support a telephone or telegraph line.

Aerial cableway/sky pylon

aerial

A tower or pylon supporting steel cables which convey cars, buckets, or other suspended carrier units.

Bridge pylon/tower

bridge

A tower, abutment or pylon from which a bridge deck is suspended.

Bridge pier

bridge_pier

A support in the form of a pillar or pier for the spans of a bridge.

Radar Stations (CATRAS)

Classification of radar station based on the services offered.

Category

seamark:radar_station:category

Definition

Radar surveillance station

surveillance

A radar station established for traffic surveillance.

Coast radar station

coast

A shore-based station which the mariner can contact by radio to obtain a position.

Restricted Areas (CATREA)

Classification of the official legal status of each kind of restricted area.

Category

seamark:restricted_area:category

Definition

Offshore safety zone

safety

The area around an offshore installation within which vessels are prohibited from entering without permission.

Nature reserve

nature_reserve

A tract of land managed so as to preserve it's flora, fauna, physical features, etc.

Bird sanctuary

bird_sanctuary

A place where birds are bred and protected.

Game reserve

game_reserve

A place where wild animals or birds hunted for sport or food are kept undisturbed for private use.

Seal sanctuary

seal_sanctuary

A place where seals are protected.

Degaussing range

degaussing_range

An area, usually about two cables diameter, within which ships' magnetic fields may be measured sensing instruments and cables are installed on the sea bed in the range and there are cables leading from the range to a control position ashore.

Military area

military

An area controlled by the military in which restrictions may apply.

Historic wreck area

historic_wreck

An area around certain wrecks of historical importance to protect the wrecks from unauthorized interference by diving, salvage or deposition (including anchoring).

Navigational aid safety zone

navigational_aid_safety

An area around a navigational aid which vessels are prohibited from entering.

Minefield

minefield

An area laid and maintained with explosive mines for defence or practice purposes.

Swimming area

swimming

An area in which people may swim and therefore vessel movement may be restricted.

Waiting area

waiting

An area reserved for vessels waiting to enter a harbour.

Research area

research

An area where marine research takes place.

Dredging area

dredging

An area where dredging is taking place.

Fish sanctuary

fish_sanctuary

A place where fish are protected.

Ecological reserve

ecological_reserve

A tract of land managed so as to preserve the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their surroundings.

No wake area

no_wake

An area in which a vessels' speed must be reduced in order to reduce the size of the wake it produces.

swinging area

swinging

An area where vessels turn.

Water skiing area

water_skiing

An area within which people may water ski and therefore vessel movement may be restricted.

Rescue Stations (CATRSC)

Classification of aid station based on life saving equipment.

Category

seamark:rescue_station:category

Definition

Rescue station with lifeboat

lifeboat

A place where equipment for saving life at sea is maintained the type of lifeboat may vary from fast, long distance boats to inflatable inshore boats.

Rescue station with rocket

rocket

Rocket - a pyrotechnic projectile used for signalling or for life-saving purposes.

Refuge for ship-wrecked mariners

refuge_shipwrecked

Shelter or protection from danger or distress at sea.

Refuge for intertidal area walkers

refuge_intertidal

Shelter or protection from danger in areas exposed to extreme and sudden tides or tidal streams.

Lifeboat lying at a mooring

lifeboat_on_mooring

A place where a lifeboat is moored ready for use.

Aid radio station

radio

A radio station reserved for emergency situations, might also be a public telephone.

First aid equipment

first_aid

A place where first aid equipment is available.

Rescue seaplane

seaplane

An aircraft which is able to land at sea to help people who are in danger at sea.

Rescue aircraft

aircraft

An aircraft which is used to search for people who are in danger at sea, partly the aircraft can provide the people with some goods by dropping.

Salvage tug

tug

A tug who can tow or hold vessels in distress to avoid the loss of the vessel or environmental pollution.

Sea areas (CATSEA)

Classification of an area based on its physical characteristics.

Category

seamark:sea_area:category

Definition

Gat

gat

A natural or artificial passage or channel through shoals or steep banks, or across a line of banks lying between two channels.

Bank

bank

An elevation over which the depth of water is relatively shallow, but normally sufficient for safe surface navigation.

Deep

deep

In oceanography, an obsolete term which was generally restricted to depths greater than 6,000 m

Bay

bay

An indentation in the coastline.

Trench

trench

A long narrow, characteristically very deep and asymmetrical depression of the sea floor, with relatively steep sides.

Basin

basin

A depression, characteristically in the deep sea floor, more or less equidimensional in plan and of variable extent.

Flat

flat

A level tract of land, as the bed of a dry lake or an area frequently uncovered at low tide. Usually in plural.

Reef

reef

Rock lying at or near the sea surface that may constitute a hazard to surface navigation.

Ledge

ledge

A rocky formation continuous with and fringing the shore.

Canyon

canyon

A relatively narrow, deep depression with steep sides, the bottom of which generally has a continuous slope, developed characteristically on some continental slopes.

Narrowa

narrows

A navigable narrow part of a bay, strait, river, etc.

Shoal

shoal

An offshore hazard to surface navigation that is composed of unconsolidated material.

A relatively smooth, fan-like, depositional feature normally sloping away from the outer termination of a canyon or canyon system.

Fracture zone

fracture_zone

An extensive linear zone of irregular topography of the sea floor, characterized by steep-sided or asymmetrical ridges, troughs or escarpments.

Gap

gap

A narrow break in a ridge or a rise.

Guyot

guyot

A seamount having a comparatively smooth flat top.

Hill

hill

A small isolated elevation (see also abyssal hills).

Hole

hole

A local depression, often steep sided, of the sea floor.

Levee

levee

A depositional embankment bordering a canyon, valley or deep-sea channel.

Median valley

median_valley

The axial depression of the mid-oceanic ridge system.

Moat

moat

An annular depression that may not be continuous, located at the base of many seamounts, islands and other isolated elevations.

Mountains

mountains

A large and complex grouping of ridges and seamounts.

Peak

peak

A prominent elevation either pointed or of a very limited extent across the summit.

Province

province

A region identifiable by a group of similar physiographic features whose characteristics are markedly in contrast with surrounding areas.

Rise

rise

(a) A broad elevation that rises gently and generally smoothly from the sea floor. (b) The linked major mid-oceanic mountain systems of global extent.

Sea channel

sea_channel

A continuously sloping, elongated narrow depression commonly found in fans or abyssal plains and customarily bordered by levees on one or both sides.

Seamount chain

seamount_chain

Several seamounts in linear or orcuate alignment.

Shelf-edge

shelf-edge

A narrow zone at the seaward margin of a shelf along which is a marked increase of slope.

Sill

sill

A sea floor barrier of relatively shallow depth restricting water movement between basins.

Slope

slope

The slope seaward from the shelf edge to the upper edge of a continental rise or the point where there is a general reduction in slope.

Terrace

terrace

A relatively flat horizontal or gently inclined surface, sometimes long and narrow, which is bounded by a steeper ascending slope on one side and by a steeper descending slope on the opposite side.

Valley

valley

A relatively shallow, wide depression, the bottom of which usually has a continuous gradient. This term is generally not used for features that have canyon-like characteristics for a significant portion of their extent.

Canal

canal

An artificial water course used for navigation.

Lake

lake

A large body of water entirely surrounded by land.

River

river

A relatively large natural stream of water.

Reach

reach

A straight section of a river, especially a navigable river between two bends or an arm of the sea extending into the land.

Shoreline Constructions (CATSLC)

Classification of shoreline construction based on use.

Category

seamark:shoreline_construction:category

Definition

Breakwater

breakwater

A structure protecting a shore area, harbour, anchorage, or basin from waves.

Groyne (groin)

groyne

A low artificial wall-like structure of durable material extending from the land to seaward for a particular purpose, such as to prevent coast erosion

Mole

mole

A form of breakwater alongside which vessels may lie on the sheltered side only in some cases it may lie entirely within an artificial harbour, permitting vessels to lie along both sides.

Pier (jetty)

pier

A long, narrow structure extending into the water to afford a berthing place for vessels, to serve as a promenade, etc.

Promenade pier

promenade_pier

A pier built only for recreational purposes.

Wharf (quay)

wharf

A structure serving as a berthing place for vessels.

Training wall

training_wall

A wall or bank, often submerged, built to direct or confine the flow of a river or tidal current, or to promote a scour action.

Rip rap

rip_rap

A layer of broken rock, cobbles, boulders, or fragments of sufficient size to resist the erosive forces of flowing water and wave action.

Revetment

revetment

Facing of stone or other material, either permanent or temporary, placed along the edge of a stream, river or canal to stabilize the bank and to protect it from the erosive action of the stream.

Sea wall

sea_wall

An embankment or wall for protection against waves or tidal action along a shore or water front.

Landing steps

landing_steps

Steps at the shoreline as the connection between land and water on different levels.

Ramp

ramp

A sloping structure that can either be used, as a landing place, at variable water levels, for small vessels, landing ships, or a ferry boat, or for hauling a cradle carrying a vessel, which may include rails.

Slipway

slipway

The prepared and usually reinforced inclined surface on which keel- and bilge-blocks are laid for supporting a vessel under construction.

Fender

fender

A protective structure designed to cushion the impact of a vessel and prevent damage.

Solid face wharf

solid_face_wharf

A wharf consisting of a solid wall of concrete, masonry, wood etc., such that the water cannot circulate freely under the wharf. The type of construction affects ship-handling for example, a solid face wharf may give shelter from tidal streams, but under certain circumstances a cusion of water may build up between such a wharf and a ship attempting to berth at it, causing difficulties in ship handling.

Open face wharf

open_face_wharf

A wharf supported on piles or other structures which allow free circulation of water under the wharf.

Log ramp

log_ramp

An inclined plane used to dump logs into the water for transport, or to haul logs out of the water for processing.

Lock/guide wall

lock_wall

Permanent structure bounding a lock and including guide walls

Ice breaker

ice_breaker

An often wedge-like structure used for protecting a bridge pier, dock, facility, etc. from floating ice or other debris.

Traffic Separation Schemes (CATTSS)

International classification of traffic separation scheme.

Category

seamark:separation_zone:category

Definition

IMO - adopted

imo_adopted

A defined Traffic Separation Scheme that has been adopted as an IMO routing measure.

Not IMO - adopted

not_imo_adopted

A defined Traffic Separation Scheme that has not been adopted as an IMO routing measure.

Vehicle transfers (catvtr)

Classification of vehicle transfers.

Category

seamark:vehicle_transfer:category

Definition

Official

official

Of or relating to an office or a post of authority

Private

private

Belonging to a particular person or persons, as opposed to the public or the government.

Suitable for car cranes

car_cranes

Vehicle transfer location is suitable for car cranes.

Suitable for car planks

car_planks

Vehicle transfer location is suitable for car planks.

Permission required

permission_required

The transfer of a vehicle requires permission.

Locked gate

locked_gate

The access to the public road is locked.

Waterway gauges (catgag)

Classification of waterway gauges.

Category

seamark:waterway_gauge:category

Definition

Water level staff/pole

staff

Level indicator consisting of a calibrated staff/pole and the associated benchmark.

Recording water level gauge

recording

Analogue or digital water level measuring and recording device.

Recording water level gauge with remote access

recording_remote_access

Recording water level gauge providing information remotely by any method.

Recording water level gauge with external indicator

recording_external_indicator

Recording gauge providing information of the water level via a large external indicator.

Recording water level gauge with remote access and remote indicator

recording_remote_access_indicator

Recording gauge providing information remotely by any method and providing information of the water level via a large external indicator.

Water turbulence (CATWAT)

Classification of an unstable sea state.

Category

seamark:water_turbulence:category

Definition

Breakers

breakers

Waves breaking on the shore, over a reef, etc. Breakers may be roughly classified into three kinds, although the categories may overlap: spilling breakers break gradually over a considerable distance plunging breakers tend to curl over and break with a crash and surging breakers peak up, but then instead of spilling or plunging they surge up on the beach face. The French word 'brisant' is also used for the obstacle causing the breaking of the wave.

Eddies

eddies

Circular movements of water usually formed where currents pass obstructions, between two adjacent currents flowing counter to each other, or along the edge of a permanent current.

Overfalls

overfalls

Short, breaking waves occurring when a strong current passes over a shoal or other submarine obstruction or meets a contrary current or wind.

Tide rips

tide_rips

Small waves formed on the surface of water by the meeting of opposing tidal currents or by a tidal current crossing an irregular bottom.

Bombora

bombora

A wave that forms over a submerged offshore reef or rock, sometimes (in very calm weather or at high tide) nearly swelling but in other conditions breaking heavily and producing a dangerous stretch of broken water the reef or rock itself.

Weed/Kelp (CATWED)

Classification of marine vegetation.

Category

seamark:vegitation:category

Definition

Kelp

kelp

A giant plant sometimes 60 metres long with no roots, it is anchored by hold-fasts or tendrils up to 10 metres long, that cling to rock. Gas filled bubbles on fronds act as floats keeping the kelp just below the surface.

Sea weed

sea_weed

General name for marine plants of the algae class which grow in long narrow ribbons.

Sea grass

sea_grass

any grasslike marine alga. Eelgrass is one of the best known seagrasses.

Sargasso

sargasso

A certain type of sea weed, or more generally, a large floating mass of this sea weed.